The LEAF is the best-selling 100-percent electric vehicle in the United States and it took a big leap forward for 2016, becoming the first affordable all-electric car to offer more than 100 miles of EPA-estimated range on a single charge.

Now standard on all 2016 Nissan LEAF SV and LEAF SL models, the new 30 kWh battery provides an EPA-estimated 107-mile driving range* on a fully charged battery. LEAF S models come with a 24 kWh battery rated at 84 miles on a full charge, giving buyers a choice in affordability and range.

In addition, the new battery offers improved charging performance. The battery in LEAF SV and SL can be quick-charged to 80 percent (from the low battery charge warning) in about 30 minutes, providing about 22 percent more miles of range compared to a 30-minute quick charge on previous LEAF models. Charging on a normal home charging system (Level 2, 240V) is estimated to take about six hours with the 6.6 kW onboard charger.

The new 30 kWh battery design adds capacity without increasing battery package size by improving the cell structure of the laminated lithium-ion battery cells. Improved electrode material with revised chemistry results in higher power density and enhanced battery durability upon charge and discharge.

While the 24 kWh battery is composed of four cells per module (192 cells total), the new 30 kWh battery’s modules contain eight newly designed cells per module (192 cells total). Unlike conventional cylindrical batteries, the thin, compact laminated cells offer more flexibility in packaging and design applications. The 30 kWh battery weighs just 46 pounds more than the 24 kWh battery and has the same battery pack size and footprint.

The 2016 Nissan LEAF has a starting price of $34,200 for the SV model and $36,790 for LEAF SL.

I hope the excessive capacity loss warranty for the 30kwh pack doesn't change to be something like: less than xx mile range, (which equals a 24kwh pack with 4 bar loss.) Otherwise, if it is based on a similar percentage as in the past, it sounds pretty good.

Valdemar wrote:Any info how negative is the outlook for the 30kWh pack retrofit into older models?

The fact that it fits in the same footprint, is sold alongside cars w/24kWh pack and both have 192 cells, are all positives. But other than that, I am waiting for more knowledgable reponses to this question as well.

Firetruck41 wrote:The fact that it fits in the same footprint, is sold alongside cars w/24kWh pack and both have 192 cells, are all positives. But other than that, I am waiting for more knowledgable reponses to this question as well.